lena dunham

Judging by the reactions on my Twitter feed last night, it seems that Lena Dunham's green smoky eye at the Emmy Awards was not a popular look. But I was into it. Hear me out. Yes, it's brighter than her dress. And, yes, it's maybe a bit punk-rock for the occasion. But, but, BUT. It's cool and different and interesting and pretty in a way that makes you take another look and think about it—and you know what? Those are all things that I would say about Lena herself. So I argue that this look is perfect for her. Plus, there's a reptilian quality to it that's kind of stunning when you get in close. It's daring, quirky, and bold, and I say it worked. What about you? Photos: Getty Images read more

OK, guys, I know we're well into this day, but it's never too late for a mini-power-girl-summit: In this case, I'm talking about Lena Dunham and Lorde's cute little Twitter exchange earlier. You all remember Lorde, my current musical obsession. And you all remember Lena, best-known as my kismet cultural BFF who loves all the same things I love, like Lorde. And Bokus. Let's get to it—turns out today was the day Lena had that classic woman's experience: having a mild heart attack when you find out how dern young the crazy-talented Lorde is. (She's 16, BTW.) This ensued: Wait, Lorde is 16!? She MAY still be a royal! IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW AT THAT AGE.— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 16, 2013 Then Lorde was all: @lenadunham u makin fun of me lena— Lorde (@lordemusic) September 16, 2013 Then Lena was like: @lordemusic Not at ALL. I'm massively impressed by you and what you do and when I found out how old you are I almost fell over. Brava!— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) September 19, 2013 Then I smiled. BTW, here's Lorde's latest single, "Team," for anybody else who's more or less torn their Love Club and "Tennis Club" mp3s to read more

Lena Dunham is no stranger to exposing herself—both in the physical sense and in the sense of hilarious peeks into the mind of her younger self—and I adore her for that. Remember when she Instagram-ed her sketch of her dream wedding dress circa 2002, complete with the ideal reception menu of a pasta bar, tofurkey and stuffing, and tropical drinks? So good. And this morning, to celebrate Throwback Thursday, she posted a three-part series of photos revealing a very important sex question she had as a 19-year-old. She sought advice from Time Out New York, and the magazine printed her question and columnist Jamie Bufalino's response. Check it out; I think Girls fans might recognize the dilemma... Sounds sort of familiar, right? Add a little enviable cleavage, and you've got Shoshanna Season One and the virginity she couldn't give away to Skylar Astin if she tried. Which she did. I like young Lena's sensible position that she wants to be honest so that her first time is a comfortable and respectful situation, I love the even more sensible advice that she should drop her timeline and let it happen when it's right, and I LURVE the now-dated references to Paris read more

Good news: Thanks to Girls' newly released trailer, our collective Instagram accounts have found a new soundtrack in Robert ToTeras' "Break Out the Boom Boom." Girls fans, Lena Dunham & Co. have given you something to tide you over until season three premieres. Bad news: Girls is not returning to TV until 2014, so all we have is this 30-second promo. Not too much is revealed about the plot, but we do learn a few things: Lena Dunham wears a bathing suit, Adam Driver is smiling (WEIRD!), and there's a Ray sighting, which, yay, because he's my favorite character on the show and Shoshanna should give him another chance even though his life is kind of a disaster. While we wait until next year to see how everything will unfold—my money is on Hannah and Adam falling apart faster than a Jenga tower—enjoy this oh-so-brief hint at the upcoming episodes: Are you excited for the new season of Girls? Any predictions? read more

Nothing stokes our TV-debate fire like Girls, in all its flesh-baring, Brooklyn-stomping glory. But there's one thing we can all agree on: Andrew Rannells' Elijah is the hipster king of our hearts. (He won this "who's your favorite Girls guy?" poll by a landslide!) So, to celebrate today's season-two DVD release, Andrew and I chatted about his hysterical turn as Hannah's ex turned roomie. It's hard to believe we're already getting excited for season three of Girls. How did you first get involved back in season one? [Girls executive producer] Jenni Konner happened to be at opening night of Book of Mormon. They hadn't started filming season one yet—they had just shot the pilot. A month later, I got a phone call that they'd like to see me for the part. But the way it was written, it was not really right. Her ex-boyfriend was [originally] a yoga instructor, bearded, a granola-y hippie guy. But Lena wanted to see me, so we improvised and f---ed around to see if we could make it a better fit. And that's what happened. Probably the moment we fell in love with you for good was that early scene with you and Hannah in read more

No, it's not just a bunch of cigar-chomping dudes anymore. Meet the new creative superstars transforming what you watch: 35 women, age 35 or under--all here to share their career secrets with the rest of us. read more

Lena Dunham posted a series of shots of herself in wigs on Instagram yesterday with some really funny captions. Check it out: Her caption: "It's 2006 and this office manager is ENGAGED (to her cousin)." Her caption: "It's 1984 and this club promoter (Ronnie) had to move back in with his ma." Her caption: "It's 1973 and this aspiring backup singer is looking for love in all the wrong places." My congrats to Ms. Office Manager and her cousin. Now, the Daily Mail is speculating that she's on the Girls set (since they're shooting right now), but that's really just a guess. But if this does mean something for character Hannah, I'm guessing that there's a flashback to the time before Lena got her pixie haircut. Perhaps we'll get a peek at what the girls were like in college? We'll have to see. Any other suggestions as to what this could mean for the plot? Photos: via Instagram read more

Hi, friends! How were all your Fourths? I spent mine swimming, checking my phone to see if Kate Middleton had gone into labor yet, eating, and checking my phone to see if Kate Middleton had gone into labor yet. Let's have a look at what other people were up to: Could Lauren Conrad ever not be effortlessly perfect? Tia Mowry, baby Cree, lush greenery, legs for days. Snooki tweeted a snap of little Lorenzo, who looks as much like a combo of his parents as any child ever has. Oprah was monochromatic, multi-burger. Andy Cohen made it to the top. Mindy Kaling appeared to have a working holiday, captioning this "My adorable assistant @marissaaross & her sis did a 'best of Dennis' Always Sunny cheat sheet for me for research." Um, does this mean we might get a Glenn Howerton BF arc on Mindy Project? Lena Dunham and Jack Antonoff hung out on the President's lawn. Oh cool, look what Heidi Klum was doing while I was eating a second hot dog. How was everyone's Fourth? Photo: Instagram read more

Girls star Lena Dunham Instagramed an illustration of her dream wedding dress, circa 2002, and I'm kind of obsessed. The caption reads: "An upsetting document from 2002, back when I was really fiendin' to get hitched." (Lena would have been 16 or 17 then!) Please note the over-the-elbow gloves and the tulle hair-a-ma-bob, which has a long beige feather leaping out of it. And are those knee socks? In case you can't read it, the musical selection includes "Live performances from the White Stripes, Belle and Sebastian, and Sade" and the menu features a "pasta bar, tofurkey and stuffing, and tropical drinks." How sweet is this illustration? What would your dream wedding, circa 2002, include? How 'bout when you were 16? If I married the loser schmuck total shithead guy I was dating in 2002, the wedding would have included a lot of house music and vodka (him) and a live performance by the Dave Matthews Band (me). I probably would have been divorced by 2003. My dream wedding as a 16-year-old was nonexistent. Anything past junior prom was the distant, distant future. Photo 1: Courtesy of HBO. Photo 2: Instagram/lenadunham. read more

Listen up, you guys! We're only a month away from Emmy nominations (Yep, can you believe it?), but this coming Monday night may determine not only who gets nominated but who wins at the September ceremony on CBS. Why? It's the 3rd Annual Critics' Choice Television Awards, presented by the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (a very reputable group made up of TV critics and journalists around the country). I'll be there on Monday, along with a crazy-good list of presenters (How does Emilia Clarke, Kaley Cuoco, Matt Damon, Claire Danes, Zooey Deschanel, Lena Dunham, Max Greenfield, Jim Parsons, Amy Poehler, and others sound to you?) It sounds like Christmas morning to us TV fanatics, that's what. So, to gear up, I thought it would be fun to vote for your faves in each category, and maybe I'll find a way to honor those winners come Monday night when I'm there with the video crew! Best Comedy Series: Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series: Best Drama Series: Best Actor in a Drama Series: Best read more

When we got word, weeks ago, that Christopher Abbott was leaving Girls, despite the fact that the show left off with Charlie and Marnie sweetly reconciling, we got Shosh-level frustrated. But the latest development in that story has us feeling like everyone is decidedly not a dumb whore. It's great news: The show just hired a new actor for season three, and that actor is Michael Zegen of Frances Ha, Adventureland, and Boardwalk Empire. If you saw Frances Ha, Michael was the delightful obnoxious intellectual dude, the one casually tossed off delusions like "yeah, I'm working on this SNL packet..." as if the world was chasing him down for his brilliance. If you didn't see Frances Ha, go watch it right now! What are you doing? There's been a lot of talk about what Michael's addition means in the wake of Christopher's departure. Obvious-theory suggests that he'll distract Marnie away from Charlie, thus papering over the actor's exit. But I'm holding out hope that he helps things be a bit more complicated than that. Though Marnie did technically wrap season two with a boyfriend, most of last season for her was about falling off the pedestal of Having Things All read more

I am endlessly fascinated by celebrity friendships. I find them more interesting than romantic celebrity relationships because, honestly, it's not like it's hard to figure those out. What really makes that couple tick? I'll tell you what makes that couple tick: They're members of the world's top 0.2 percent when it comes to beauty. It's an endless good-looks buffet, Hollywood, and I like to think that nine out of 10 flings are simply stars going back up to the hot bar for another round. But celebrity friendships—now those are intriguing. I'm not talking about polite cheek-kissing and red-carpet posing—I'm talking about the kind of bond that translates to fifth-grade-style sleepovers. And Taylor Swift hosted one such gathering over the weekend on Rhode Island that had a surprising guest list (to me, anyway): Jessica Szohr, Hailee Steinfeld, and, briefly, Lena Dunham. All of these things are not like the other! They're not even in the same age range. Perhaps Taylor was actually just recruiting people to stand guard in the different wings of her ridiculous mansion. Lena didn't actually crash, reportedly—just joined the other three for dinner, ostensibly to tell Jessica how Vanessa was the only character on Gossip Girl who read more

Lena Dunham is no stranger to criticism, and she's often open to poking a little fun at herself (see: Oscars opener where she's eating naked in a bathroom stall). But one thing she's not brushing off or taking lightly? The upcoming Girls porn parody, This Ain't Girls XXX. Porn parodies of popular TV shows and movies—and even ice cream brands—are nothing new, so it's not terribly surprising that Hustler would pick Girls, a show with plentiful sex scenes and a name that basically already sounds like a dirty movie if you just add an exclamation point on the end. So why does Lena Dunham, who clearly isn't opposed to on-screen sex, seem so uncomfortable with the idea? Well, she's got three reasons: 1. Because Girls is, at its core, a feminist action while Hustler is a company that markets and monetizes a male's idea of female sexuality— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) May 24, 2013 2. Because a big reason I engage in (simulated) on-screen sex is to counteract a skewed idea of that act created by the proliferation of porn— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) May 24, 2013 3. Because it grosses me out.— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) May 24, 2013 She also read more

After hearing how Lena Dunham decides what makeup to wear to an event, you will probably want to be her best friend even more than you currently do. If that is possible. Makeup artist Nick Barose dolled Lena up for an event in NYC Saturday night. "I love doing Lena's makeup because she always has quirky, odd-but-cool inspiration she lets you interpret," he told me. Like one time, she had him do almost-creepy matte skin and "spice" lipstick based on a clip of Parker Posey on David Letterman in the '90s. "For this event, she wanted her makeup to look 'old lady that wears Chanel.'" Nick opted to use fun versions of the makeup his aunts wear, putting frosty blue eyeshadow on Lena's eyelids (Chanel Stylo Eyeshadow in Blue Bay) with slightly retro winged liner in electric blue (YSL Waterproof Liner #9 Azure Blue) and matte pink lips (Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in 413 BLKR). "Sometimes colors that shouldn't go together like matte fuchsia and icy blue can go together if you keep balance and keep the application easy and spontaneous, as opposed to too perfect," Nick says. "We skipped anything dark like mascara or filling in brows, since read more

You know how once in a while you think about the underbelly parts of being famous—the paparazzi, the scrutiny, the red-carpet cleanse diets—and feel a little bit bad for celebrities? You don't have to. They make it up in real estate. I cannot imagine anything sweeter than being a newly minted star with her eye on homes, views, and fabulous decor. The possibilities are limitless—not that I can imagine things much bigger, brighter, or more beautiful than these actual abodes. The first two properties are being circled by Taylor Swift and Lena Dunham, respectively—then, we have a peek into Lea Michele's warm and devastatingly fashionable home, courtesy of Domaine Home. ( 1) First up, Taylor's Rhode Island paradise. Like me, Taylor grew up in Pennsylvania. West Coast girls may or may not get the appeal of this "beachfront" home, but let me tell you, this is the ultimate East Coast girl's waterfront dream right here. And for all for the cool price of $17.75 million (reportedly). I'm particularly obsessed with the minimalist pool. It's the only minimalist thing about this place. I'm pretty sure it's the biggest house in the littlest state. 2) Then we have Lena's Brooklyn upgrade. I read more

The big stars feted Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World last night, which means we get to celebrate who was best dressed at the high-brow gala. Yay—we love this game! On hand to support hubby Justin Timberlake—honored as an Icon on the 100 list—Jessica Biel stunned in Tom Ford dress. The design is so much more than a LBD. The asymmetrical hem and halter add shape and definition, plus she's wearing the most rocked-out heels at the party. Accompanying and dressed in honoree Michael Kors, Olivia Munn in a yellow dress is a prime example of why starlets need to start wearing more color on the red carpet. (Please!) The beautiful shade of marigold is the perfect complement to her complexion, and the lace overlay stands on its own. No accessories needed. Not only did 26-year old Girls creator Lena Dunham make the top 100 list, she also killed it on the red carpet in a low-cut Saint Laurent frock. The diaphanous layers are gorge, and I die for those T-strap heels, but sometimes I wish she'd opt for a brighter color. Claire Danes, who wrote the Time article celebrating Lena, opted for an earthy above-the-knee printed read more

We may have had a few weeks off from funny tweets, but never fear: They're back and more LOL-worthy than ever (or at least just as much as they normally are). Shall we begin? Jimmy Kimmel Live! head writer Molly McNearney (who also happens to be the TV host's fiancée!) is refreshingly honest about her bridal style. I'm gonna be the one bride who tells her bridesmaids "you will NEVER wear this dress again."— Molly McNearney (@mollymcnearney) April 2, 2013 Meanwhile, Lena Dunham is refreshingly honest about everything, as per usual. The mandatory sexual harassment meeting before we start shooting a new season of @girlshbois my Christmas— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) April 2, 2013 Speaking of Girls stars, B.J. Novak snapped this pic of Jemima Kirke on the cover of Brooklyn and offered this bit of commentary: I feel like they might have started Brooklyn Magazine just to put her on the cover twitter.com/bjnovak/status — B.J. Novak (@bjnovak) April 3, 2013 Maude Apatow is just asking the important questions. Just wanted to check in and see what Psy has been up to lately— Maude Apatow (@maudeapatow) April 1, 2013 When one goes from Housewife to former Housewife, one gains quite a bit read more

Well, so much for that teary-sweet reconciliation on the season finale of Girls: Christopher Abbott—who plays Marnie's on-again, off-again boyfriend Charlie—has reportedly quit the show. Page Six (which went ahead and dubbed him the "cutest boy" on the show—a matter of opinion, methinks) says that Abbott "didn't like the direction" the show was going in. Well, Chris, we don't always love it either, but we hang in there—and nobody's paying us. This is bound to toss a bomb into things since season three recently started production, but I have certain faith that Lena and her team will spin it into brilliance—maybe with a veiled barb or two along the way. Charlie's company imploding due to a sex tape that reveals him as an inept lover in three...two... Maybe I didn't pick up on the undertones of Christopher's answer when I asked him what's coming up for Charlie a few weeks back and he said, "I truly don't know where it goes." Are you disappointed by this news? We were all so on board with Marnie 'n' Charlie's reunion. Photo: HBO, SplashNews read more

All TV season long, The Mindy Project has been like a new boyfriend I’m almost sickeningly into. By that I mean: I spend all the time we’re not together getting excited to hang out again. I might listen to casual criticisms of it politely, but deep down I believe it can do no wrong. And I have a really hard time getting through a conversation without bringing it up. “You know, it’s so funny you say that, because on this one episode of The Mindy Project ” Then came last night’s “Mindy’s Birthday.” I settled in for my regular lovefest. Mindy in yellow and rhinestones? Perfect. A quick cameo from cute little bro Uktarsh Ambudkar? Yes, please, thank you. A surprise birthday party, executed thanks to Morgan’s tedious online-dating fakery? Hooray! And then, right up front: Mindy got a little cranky. Mindy got a little bratty, frankly. And like a sap on the arm of a guy who’s just revealed he's not perfect after all, I wasn’t sure whether to even let myself feel annoyed. Maybe, I thought for a fleeting second, I should just smile nervously and go with it? Push the misgivings away! But then I decided to own read more